Latest news with #SheetalMistry
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Seven more test positive for Covid-19 in city, active cases touch 39
Surat/Vadodara: Seven more people tested positive for Covid-19 in the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) area on Thursday, bringing the total number of cases to 89, with 39 active cases. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The cases include senior citizens, a judge, and returning travellers, though all are reported to be in stable condition. Seven are hospitalised, of whom two require oxygen support. Among the newly infected is a 77-year-old retired male from Vesu with a history of high blood pressure, currently under home isolation care. A 71-year-old homemaker from Ghoddod Road, who has both thyroid and blood pressure issues, is also being treated at home and is stable. A 38-year-old female judge from Athwalines, who recently returned from Dwarka on May 25, tested positive. She is under home isolation and responding well to treatment. Other cases include a 24-year-old employed male from Lal Darwaja with a thyroid condition, a 52-year-old diabetic male from Palanpur Jakatanaka, a 40-year-old homemaker from Varachha who returned from Uttar Pradesh on May 25, and a 56-year-old diabetic female social worker from Parle Point who returned from Kolhapur on June 1. As per govt protocol, all patients' samples have been sent to the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), Gandhinagar, for genome sequencing to detect any emerging variants. In Vadodara city, six Covid-19 cases were reported in the 24 hours ending Thursday evening — the first in the ongoing wave. All patients showed flu-like symptoms and are under home isolation. According to sources, the infections are sub-variants of the Omicron strain, with low hospitalisation rates. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Of the six, four are from the west zone and one each from the east and north zones. Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) standing committee Chairman Sheetal Mistry said the majority of the population was previously exposed to Covid-19 and vaccinated, which has kept symptoms mild. "There is no need to panic, but people should remain cautious and take necessary precautions," he said. Mistry added that testing and isolation facilities are available at SSG Hospital and GMERS Hospital, Gotri. Both hospitals are equipped with oxygen support, ICU, and ventilators.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Monsoon looms, but river bank strengthening still drags
Vadodara: The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has adopted a bioengineering method — rarely used on such a large scale in India — to stabilise the dredged banks of the Vishwamitri river. However, the initiative, launched with much delay, is progressing slowly, raising concerns that monsoon is already knocking on the doors. It is feared that downpours and turbulent river flow could lead to soil erosion and sediment re-entering the riverbed. VMC had first trialled the technique in April and formally engaged an agency in May to implement the method over an area of 1.34 lakh square metres at a cost of Rs 4.9 crore in the first phase. More work may be taken up if required. However, intermittent pre-monsoon showers and an early monsoon forecast have heightened the urgency of the project. Despite the potential of the technique, its delayed implementation is a cause for concern. As of Monday, only 2.3 km of riverbank had been covered, whereas the Vishwamitri stretches 24.7 km within the city limits. The civic body still lacks a clear plan for the total area requiring stabilisation, sources said. Experts believe the work should have been carried out in parallel with the dredging and resectioning of the river. "Stabilisation using artificial methods should have been initiated immediately after dredging was completed. Now, there's a risk of soil erosion and sediment washing back into the river," one expert warned. VMC standing committee chairman Sheetal Mistry acknowledged the delay, citing limited availability of specialised agencies and materials as contributing factors. "Not all stretches require stabilisation as there are areas with intact structures or undisturbed greenery," he added. A VMC official admitted that erosion from rain cannot be completely ruled out, but insisted it would be minimal. Experts have recommended prioritising critical locations, particularly areas with steep slopes or those historically prone to erosion. "Not every section of the riverbank requires reinforcement. Some segments experience erosion while others are zones of deposition," said an expert.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Bioengineering work to stabilize river banks begins
Vadodara: The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) started extensive work using bioengineering to stabilise the banks of the Vishwamitri following the extensive dredging done there for its resectioning. Geotextile, coir and vetiver grass are being used to stabilize the banks. The effort began on an experimental basis in April, after which work was awarded to a contractor for an area of 1.34 lakh square metres last month for the first phase of the process of stabilizing the bank. If the results are satisfactory, more work will be taken up. For the first phase, VMC will spend Rs 4.9 crore. The VMC standing committee chairman, Sheetal Mistry, said that the geotextile is fixed over the layer of coir, and vetiver grass is planted through the geotextile and the coir. The process ensures moisture is retained in the soil and helps the growth of the grass. Water is being sprinkled on the geotextile to keep it moist. Mistry said that so far, work was taken up on a 2.3km stretch of the river. Mayor Pinky Soni, municipal commissioner Arun Mahesh Babu, Mistry, and other officials visited the site where work was being carried out. They checked the progress of work on the stabilization process. Mistry said 92% of the dredging work has been completed.
